I'tikaf

Iʿtikāf (Arabic: الاعتكاف) is a recommended worship in Islam that consists of at least three days of fasting in a masjid. Although there is no specific time to perform i'tikaf during a year, the last ten days of the month of Ramadan, as the Prophet (s) did so, is the most recommended days to do it.

Literal and Technical Meaning

I'tikaf is derived from " 'a-k-f " (عکف) which mostly means adhering to, devoting to or dedicating to something as a sign of honoring.[1] Derivatives form this word has been used in the Qur'an in this meaning.[2] In spite of that, "'Akif" (عاکف) (Qur'an 22:25; meaning resident) and "Ma'kuf" (معکوف) (Qur'an 48:25; meaning forbidden) are two derivatives from the same root used in the Qur'an.

In Jurisprudence

In jurisprudence, i'tikaf is defined as staying and residing in a mosque for at least three days and also observing required conditions with the intention of getting close to God.[3]

In Sufism

In Sufism, i'tikaf means emptying your heart from worldly concerns and submitting yourself to your Lord. Hence i'tikaf means staying and residing, it also means staying and not getting away from God's threshold so that he forgives you.[4]

The Prophet's (s) I'tikaf

There is no information whether the Prophet (s) performed i'tikaf in al-Masjid al-Haram before Hijra (emigration to Medina). However, in his first year in Medina, he performed i'tikaf in the first ten days of the month of Ramadan, the next year in the second ten days and afterward in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. A tent was set up for him in the mosque during these days.[7]

Rulings and Conditions

Time

There is no special time for i'tikaf. However according to hadiths, the Prophet (s) did it in the month of Ramadan;[8] thus this month is the best time for it, especially the last ten days.[9] Based on these hadiths, i'tikaf during these days is highly recommended although it remains recommended in other times. Nowadays, holding the ritual of i'tikaf during Ayyam al-Bid of the month of Rajab is very prevalent in Iran.

Duration

According to Shi'a jurisprudence, duration of i'tikaf must not be less than three days (from the dawn of the first day to the sunset of the third day). If the i'tikaf is recommended (the performer did not make compulsory by making vow or oath) Mu'tkif may quit it before the sunset of the second day. But after the sunset of the second day, finishing it to the end of the third day is obligatory.[10] The same ruling is applied to the sixth, ninth, twelfth day and so on.

There are many different opinions about the duration of i'tikaf among Sunnis, most of which believe that there is no minimum duration for it.[11]

Place

Mu'takif students in Baqiyyat Allah Mosque in Tehran, Iran. Some of the students are reciting the Qur'an, while some others are sleeping.

Based on hadiths, Shi'a jurists have different opinions here. Most of the earlier jurists supported the first group of hadiths[13] while in the following centuries this speciality were doubted. For instance, al-Shahid al-Awwal and al-Shahid al-Thani[14] said that limiting the place of i'tikaf to the Four Mosques, is a very weak opinion. Moreover, some jurists allowed i'tikaf in every mosque with the intention of Rajāʾ[15](hoping to receive a probable reward rather than the assured one, because the jurist is not sure whether this act is really recommended or not). Nowadays most of contemporary jurists permit performing i'tikaf in Jami' Mosque and some other important mosque of each city.

Fasting

Fasting is one of the necessary conditions of i'tikaf according to Shi'a's jurisprudence.[16] Therefore, Mu'takif should fast during the i'tikaf and If someone couldn't fast -- such as, traveler, sick people, Ha'id (a woman during her Menstruation), Nufasa' -- or did not fast deliberately, his/her i'tikaf is void. Also, since fasting is haram (forbidden) in Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, i'tikaf in these Eids and from two days before these Eids, so that the third day of the i'tikaf coincide with the Eid, is void.

There is no necessity that the fasting to be especial for i'tikaf and it is allowed to take compensation fasting or a fasting which has became obligatory because of nadhr (vow).

Maliki and majority of Hanafis consider fasting as a necessary element for i'tikaf too (rest of Hanafis say fasting is not compulsory in recommended i'tikaf).[17] On the other hand, Shafi'i and Ahmad b. Hanbal - in the most famous narration from him - basically believe that fasting is not a condition at all.[18]

Staying in Mosque

Leaving the mosque during i'tikaf is not permitted. However there are exceptions such as: participation in Salat al-Jum'a, participation in funeral procession (tashi'), giving testimony, visiting a sick and preparing food and water. Even in these cases, Mu'takif must not sit while being out of the mosque and must not walk in shade as much as possible.[19]

Forbidden Acts

Sexual activities - even kissing -, using perfumes, selling and buying - except for food and other necessary things - and arguing about worldly affairs are forbidden to the Mu'takif. Some of the above-mentioned activities void the i'tikaf and also cause expiation (Kaffara).[20]

Works about I'tikaf

I'tikaf as an important jurisprudential topic was a subject of some individual and independent works. Muhammad b. Idris al-Shafi'i and Dawud b. 'Ali al-Isfahani, from Sunni school[21] and Abu l-Fadl al-Sabuni and al-Shaykh al-Saduq from Shi'a[22] are some of the most famous faqihs who have authored independent writings about i'tikaf.